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BIGSANDVPOEMS 



BY— 



PETER CLAY. 



T^ V /^ 




Inez^ Ky. 



B.S. 




PROPRIETOR. 

This Hotel is a large building situated on Main st 
in the center of the town, well arranged, well kept, ace 
modations first class, charges reasonable. Has in conn 
tion a first class Feed and Livery Stable. Care of liui 
a specialty. Horses to let at all times. 



BIG n I D Y POEMS, 



-BY- 



PETER C L A Y 



V' 



i: 

EDEN, Kf:NTU(^KY. 

1890, 






Entered according to Act of Congress, iii the year ]8f)0, hy 

pe:ter clay, 

in the Office of tie Ijibrarian of Congress at Wasliii gtoD. 



PREFACE. 

^ ^_, 

IN PPvErARIKG this little volume for thepublie, it has 
not been my object to excel or evade criticism, but mere- 
ly to give my friends, and those who may wish, the casual 
productions of my early days. Neither have I attempted, 
in the poduction of these Poems, to excite universal admi- 
ration. In fact, when they were written, they were not in- 
tended for the public; being composed for mere amuse- 
ment during my leisure hours; and wliatever merit they 
contain, I attribute not to any acquired effort of my own, 
but to a poetic instinct implanted in my being by the di- 
vine author of all poetry — God. True poetry is a ciiild of 
heaven and a twin sister of that other sweet serajjh, Mu- 
sic; whose voices, methinks, make glad the courts of heav- 
en. And no one can be truly a Poet ,unless his foot-steps 
are attended and his heart attuned to higher and sweeter 
sentiments by this guardian angel. AVhen but a little 
child, in the bright spring-time of life, my youn-g heart 
caught the sweet minstrelsy, which was developed more 
fully in after years, finding vent in the productions of my 
leisure hours. Some of these found their way into the 
hands of the anxious public, who showered many com- 
pliments upon my young head. During my school days, 
demands were made, by some of my friends, for a volume 
of my own production; but, feeling the inability of my 



PREFACE. 



youth, I dared not launch my ship upon the great sea of 
Literature. It is now with a light heart, that I come 
down to the golden sand, fearlessly, to launch this little 
bark; and as I watch its snowy sails move out among the 
mighty vessels, I can but invoke the blessings of heaven 
to attend it, and pray that it may receive a kind Avelcome 
in every harbor. If it should go down beneath the surg- 
ing waves, I will not be found, standing on the shore, cry- 
ing with a sad heart, '*0h! when will my lost ship return 
home to me;" but will be found constructing a larger and 
stronger vessel, to be again launched upon the billowy 
sea. May God's own hand guide it safely o'er the waves; 
may it find a safe harbor in every breast, and bring some 
gem of precious thought to every heart, 

THE AUTHOR. 




CONTENTS. 



MiNME. A. Cassady 7 

Teacher And Sick Scholar 

October 11 

The Guardian Angel 13 

Happines And love 16 

The Broken vow IS 

ODE TO EDEN 20 

MINNIE'S GRAVE 22 

THE HONEYSUCKLE 23 

A LOST LOVE 2(3 

MOONLIGHT 29 

THE HOP- VINES O'ER THE DOOR 31 

DARK EYES 33 

THE POND AND STREAMLET 35 

VICE VERSA 38 

JUNE 39 

THE BOUQUET 41 

ODE TO LITTLE MABLE B— 43 

THE AUTUMN WIND 45 

ELLA 47 

ODITO THE SUN '^7 

THE STORY OF MAN CO 

NOTES 70 



—BY- 



P E T E 1 CLAY 



M I M I E 2^. <5 A S S il D Y 



'HE was beautiful and fair, 
No heart was kinder, truer, 
Her sweet eyes and golden hair 

Added smiles to all who knew her. 
Like the sunshine of the morning 

Adds a charm to flowers and dew. 
Her sweet spirit gave us warning. 
To be loved, v/e must bo true. 



Like a modest blushing flower 

Spreads its fragrance on the air, 
She possessed a magic poAver 

That spread joy every-where: 
And ihe music of her voice, 

x\s she sung God's power to save, 
Made all our hearts rejoice, 

As we looked beyond the grave. 



BiCr SANDY POEMS 

But like sweet flowers of May, 

That only blush to die, 
She smiled on us and passed away, 

Far up beyond the sky. 
Yes an angel of the seven 

Summoned her one day, 
And to a brighter home in heaven, 

Her sweet soul took its way. 

And when her spirit took its flight, 

Earth lost a jewel rare; 
But heaven gained a brighter light, 

To shine forever there. 
And though to lose her was our fate. 

Her God was pleased to greet her; 
And as she reached the Pearly gate, 

Bright angels came to meet her. 

And now upon the golden shore 

Of life's celestial river, 
With angel faces to adore. 

Sweet Minnie lives forever. 
A golden harp is in her hand, 

A crown of life she wears. 
Her voice in the angel band 

Makes sweeter heaven's airs. 

Yes, sweet minnie 's gone forever, 
From this vale of tears below, 

And we shall see her never, 
Until we nro cnllod to go: 



TEACTIET^ AND SICK SCHOLAU 

Tlion on ^lio briglit ani^elic shore, 

Far np beyond the skies, 
We'll meet with her, to part no more, 

Wliere love-light never dies. 



^KS.(LllER AND BI^K Si^EOIxSR- 

EAR teacher, stay with me to-nigh, t" 
She said, as I kissed her to go; 
And her face, upturned to the light, 

Showed traces of linering woe. 
As I started she clung to my hand 

And pleadingly looked in my face; 
But the look I did not understand, 

As I smoothed back the snow of her lace. 

"But Florie, my dear friends at home 

Won't know where I am if I stay, 
Won't it do if tomorrow I come. 

As soon as the first streak of day ? 
''But tomorrow, dear teacher," she said, 

"I'll not be found at this place, 
Tomorrow I'll be with the dead. 

My spirit gone out into space. 

Won't you stay if some one will go 

And tell them you're with me to-night ? 

She said, and her voice sunk low, 
Her eyes shone wondrously bright. 

"I'll stay, dear Florie," I said, 

"And comfort yoi] all in my power: 



10 TUCt SANDY POEMS • 

And close by tlie side of her ]>ed, 

I watched o'er the sweet fading ilower. 

*'Dear Florio, why act in this way ?" 

(Foi^ I knew the sweet tiling would reply,) 
* 'You're better, the doctors all say, 

And why do you think vdu will die ?" 
^'Dcar teacher, I know they all think 

I am better, and soon will be gay; 
But I know I am now on the brink, 

And my spirit will soon pass away." 

*'Are you afraid to die, m.y dear fio ?" 

I asked in the gentlest tone. 
*'Not of dying, dear teacher, no, 

But of going a.Wciy all alone." 
"But niy child, its to heaven you '11 go, 

Where sorrowing ones cease to weep, 
Where the angels will bless little Flo—" 

She had gently fallen asleep. 

For hours I watched her v/itli care; 

She awoke, and a change I could see, 
Iknewtlie dciith-angel was near; 

Bat her dear little heart was not free. 
^'Please pray again, teacher," she said, 

"Tliat Florie may not go alone." 
And I knelt by the side of her bed, 

And prayed for the tlie angels to come. 



ccTor>:<:R 11 



Once more she closed her bright eyes, 

Once more her lips moved in prayer; 
But soon, in joyous surprise, 

She exclaime ''I'm free from all care, 
what do I see! — a bright throne! 

And angels decsending from high — 
They're coming to go with me home! 

I'm not afraid, teacher, good-bye. 

And then little Floric so fair 

Flew av7ay with the angels of love, 
And we wept, but not in despair. 

For we knew she was happy above. 
No more shall mortals behold 

TLia beautiful liower on earth, 
Buo in heaven its- petals unfold, 

AVhere an<:?:eis admire its worth. 



TTII e'ofiest troad Oclobcr came, 
Like one that 's broken hearted, 
AVitli saddest smile and swoetesL face, 

I'o weep o'(r tiie departed. 
Her purple robe, bedecked with gold, 

Flashed in the sun-set splendor. 
While on the balmy air, her sighs 
Were born in accents tender. 



12 



BIG SANDY POEMS 

She stooped to kiss the dying flowers, 

Her face with pity glowing, 
And laid them gently in their graves, 

Bright colors o'er them strewing; 
A deep sigh heaved her tender breast, 

Because the flowers were gone; 
And a jeweled tear of pity fell 

On the curtains, o'er them drawn. 

AVith sweetest face bedewed with tears, 

She knelt upon the sod, 
And a gentle prayer was wafted 

On spirit wings to God, 
Then a whisper, like an angel's, 

Was reflected from the skies, 
Saying "Weep no more, fair sister, 

Sleeping beauty shall arise." 

Then tliis angel of October, 

Like a fairy queen, arose 
And spread lier shining pinions 

O'er friends and o'er foe.-; 
Her face liad lost its sadriess, 

And her eyo.j wore shining clear, 
For the gentle voice from heaven 

Ila'.l vanquis'ned every tear. 

Her sighs v/ere c]ianged to music 
Of the purest, sweetest strains. 

And were wafted by the zephyrs 
O'er lulls and o'er plains, 



THE GUARDIAN ANGEL 13 



Saying ''beauty is etornal, 
Arid death is but a sleep; 

We sjiall wake and live forever, 
And eternal glories reap." 



'THE ^^RRiymK ilK<5EL 



NE sweet summer eve, when the nightingales sung, 
And the sun kissed the hill-tops good-night, 
I strolled down beside the lake of Too-Lung, 
And met, there, a most charming sprite. 



The soft balmy air kissed the dew-laden flowers, 
Fair Luna unveiled her sweet face, 

And poured down her rays in silvery showers. 
While the stars twinkled in on a race. 

As I strolled along on the glistening shore 

This wonderful angel I spied; 
I never had seen the sweet vision before. 

And straightway it flew to My side. 

Abashed was I then, so sublime was the scene, 

But I felt secure from all harm; 
I knew the sweet vision I saw was no dream, 

Ari its hand rcntiv fell on mv arm. 



14 BIG SANDY POEMS 



I felt a soft thrill at the magical touch, 

And about me flashed a new light, 
While the flowery heath I admired so much, 

Was fading away from my sight. 

I stood there entranced, for of speech I had none, 

As I gazed on the vision before me; 
But I felt in my heart a new life had begun. 

So strange was the spell that came o'er me. 

My soul was enwrapped in a sense of delight, 

A sweet, unexperienced condition; 
And growing quite bold, I addressed the fair sprite, 

Determined to learn its strange mission. 

''Fair angel, pray tell me, what is thy name? 

And why hast thou wandered this way? 
Where is thy abode ? pra}^ tell me the same, 

And why hast thou blessed me to-day? 

The vision then spoke, in a voice as sweet 
As the soft, thrilling notes of a lyre; 

And a glittering tear fell low at my feet. 

As the presence, sweet soraph, drew nighcr. 

''My home is in heaven, the fountain of light, 

Where shineth a clime ever vernal. 
Where angels rejoice in songs of delight, 

And glories and bliss are eternal. 



THE GUARDIAN ANGEL 15 

Anl now, fair mortal, my mission is this, 
To woo thee, and win thee, for heaven, 

To wrap thy soul in a mantle of bliss, 
The angels of glory hath given. 

ril crown thee with blessings far richer than those 

That th© powers of earth can unroll, 
And vfhen thou art wrapped in peaceful repose, 

I'll whisper sweet dreams to thy soul. 

Thy guardian angel, I'll ever attend thee, 
Continually guiding thy foot-steps aright, 

Though perils beset I'll ever defend thee, 
Aad anchor thy soul in the haven of light. 

Where'er I roam, Avhe'er I wander, 

This vision of glory is still by my side, 

I know we shall pass to the clime over yonder, 
'Mid elysian fields of bliss to reside. 

And now fair reader, when perils confound you, 
May blessings descend from heaven above, 

May this sweet presence in glory surround you, 
The wonderful presence, the presence of love. 



I: 



1(> - BIG SANDY POEMS 



HilPPIKKSS Mljy liOVE 



HAPPINESS, brigh angel from heave 
And Love, the proud Hero of old. 
Met on the bank of life's river, 
Where flowers of beauty unfold. 

Life's sun was shining in splendor, 
Sweet odors pervaded the air, 

Kature unveiled her fair face, 
And smiled on the angelic pair. 

"Sweet angel" said Love in a whisper 
As soft and as sweet as a dream, 

"I have sought you, but never could tnid 
By the side of this wonderful s ream ; 

But now I've found you, come with me 
Adown by the bright golden s-hore. 

Where transports of pleasure await us, 
And sorrow and pain are no more.' ' 

Happiness with face like the morning. 
And smiles all passive and sweet, 

Turned her fair face to the Hero, 

And dropped a bright tear at his fe^ i 

"0 yes, sweet Love, I'll go Avith you, 
I never can part from your side, 

Amid bright fields of sweet floweis, 
Together through life, we will glide." 



HAPPINESS AND LOVE 



Ari I gazed on this angelic couple, 

I said, can this be a dream? 
And while I was gazing in wonder, 

They strolled from my sight down the stre^u. 

As I thought of their lives full of sun-shine,, 

I envied them more and more; 
But little I thought of the drama, 

So soon to be played on the shore. 

As I wandered adown the bright river, 
I forgot the vision, ('twas no dream,) 

Till I saw a quaint bow and a cjuiver, 

Which the Hero had dropped by the stream. 

Then I thought of the^ couple that wandered 

In bliss so entrancing and sweet, 
Till I wondered and more than pondered 

If again the bright forms I should meet. 

V/hile musing alone on the heather — 
Oh heaven, dispel the sad sight I — 

For close at my feet on the daisies, 
Lay Happiness ghastly and white. 

An arrow had pierced her fair bosome, 
Thus cleaving the purest heart; 

The murder w^as WTOught by the Hero, 
For ''love" was inscribed on the dart. 



18 BIG SANDY POEMS 



IShE ^20KEK jCo\1 



ONE lovely night, when the stars shone brigh 
I gave my heart to Nora, j 

The fairest one that e'er begun 
To tread the fields of glory. 



We sat alone, where the feint light shone 

In rays of softest hue; 
She vowed to me, on land or S3a, 

To be forever true. 



And when she spoke, my soul awoke 

To bliss unfelt before; 
And there we vowed, through sun and cloud 

To separate no more. 

My gushing tears fell thick with hers, 

Our quivering lips united; 
And thus the vow, that solemn vow, 

Was sealed the night we plighted. 

And thus we sat, our souls en rapt 

In sweetest bliss, for hours, 
While 'round us fell, the mystic spell 

Of love, in charming showers. 



n 



THE BROKEN VOW 19 



When we arose, Oh! heaven knows 

How loth I was to go; 
And as we siood in thoughtful mood, 

She whispered soft and low, 

''Remember now this solemn vow, 

I will forever keep; 
Though now we part, this loving heart, 

Alone for you, will beat." 

Til en to my breast, her form I pressed, 
While tears of true love started; 

One thrilling kiss of sweetest bliss, 
Two sighs, and then — we parted. 

And years have flown, and I have grown 

Far wiser if not better; 
But tears will rise, Avhen I see the prize 

That binds me like a fetter. 

Upon my hand, a gilded band 

Remains, a sacred token; 
Bir^ the golden chain, that held us twain. 

By cruel fate, was broken. 

And Nora fair, v/ith golden hair — 
May heaven's smiles go with her — 

Is a charming bride by another's side. 
And I — well I forgive her. 



'20 . BIG SANDY POEMS 



ODE ^O EDEK 



OEden, sweet Eden, 
The town of my birtb. 
YoR are dearer to me 

Than cities of worth; 
I love YOU more ardent 

Than places of old, 
Though shining w^itli rubies 
Or sparkling with gold. • 

The hills that surround you 

Are dearer to me, 
Than lawns of sweet grasses 

That border the sea; 
And the songs of the birds, 

As they fall on my ear, 
Are sweeter to me, 

Because they are here. 

The flowers that bloom 

In your gardens abound 
With grandeur and beauty, 

But here to be found. 
While among them a face 

Like a fairy is seen. 
But sweeter than Flora's, 

The sweet flower Cjueen. 



ODE TO EDEN 21 

Tlie sun that shines down 
From heaven so bold, 
Did not shine so brightly 

On Eden of old; 
And the smiles of fair Luna, 

Unveiling her face. 
Pours a flood of enchantment 

All over the place. 

Your steeples and towers 

That gleam in the light 
Of the sun during day 

Or the moon-beams at night. 
Are enshrined to my heart 

more v.'ondrously fair, 
Than bright gilded castles 

-That flash in the air. 

All your surroundings 

Are pregnant with love, 
Ab if an angel 

Had come from above 
Vritli the I)lcs5ing3 of heaven 

To scatter on earth, 
And dropped them on Eden, 

Sweet town of my birth. 

And why do I love you? 

Sweet town, some may ask; 
To answer them all 

will be no hard task; 



21 BIG SANDY POEMS 

I love 3"ou, because 

You're the place of my birth' 
The one cheerished spot 

Of all others on earth. 

0! I love you, because 

The pride of my life, 
One sweeter than Eden, 

(And yet not a wife) 
Claims you as her home, 

And loves you as I, 
And so I must love you. 

Sweet town, till I die. 



MIXKIES <5RSVE 



VWO-DAY I stood by Minnie's grave, 
{j^ Where sv/eeiest violets grow, 
I saw the green grass o'er it wave, 
In undulations slow; 
And friendship's tear suffused my eyes, 
To thmk how cold and ^till she lies. 

The sun was sinking m the west. 

Kissing the hill-tops o'er, 
As Minnie fair, sweet child at rest. 
Had watched it oft before; 
And as it sunk its soft rays fell 
On the verdant hills she loved so well. 



Minnie's grave. 1.3 



And then I thought how very sad. 

It is to part from those 
Who once had made our hearts so ghu] 
And soothed our many woes; 
Wlio, like sweet angels hovering near, 
H ive given sighs for many a tear. 



I knelt beside the sacred mound 

In simple adoration, 
And then a gentle whispeied scvuid 
Broke my meditaion; 
It seemed to float upon the air 
A:il whisper ^'Minnie is not there." 



Within those silent walls of earth. 

Beneath those flowers fair, 
No treasure lies of real worth, 
A broken shell is there; 
The jewel that within it lay 
By angel hands was caught away. 

And then I said ''It can not be, 

I saw them put her there, 
I saw her face serene and free 
From trouble, pain, or care; 
A floral wreathe was on her breast. 
Inscribed in silver words, ''At Rest.' 



24 BIG SANDY rOEMS 



But still the whisper said ''Be just, 

And heed my truthful story, 
The thing you saw was only dust, 
Her spirit rests in glory; 
Her form was laid beneath that sod, 
Her spirit floated up to God. 

And then I 'rose and stood beside 

The marble at hei head. 
And on its polislied face, I spied 
Immortal words, and read 
''Weep not, father and mother, for m: 
For I am waiting in glory for thee." 

0! can it be that those we love, 
Sweet flowers that are given, 
Are taken to the wreathe above, 
To beckon us to heaven? 
It must be so, they pass away 
To draw us on to perfect day. 

0! let us then no longer weep 
For loved ones gone before, 
They softly lie and sweetly sleep 
On Bula's ehining shore; 
And when we cross the mystic river, 
We'll meet them there, to live forever. 



THE HONEYSUCKLE. 25 



miE II0IIEYSU(5KI;E. 

y-rf here's a sweet little flower that grows on the hill-side, 
•^ JJ; Where the soft zephyrs of the evening winds blow; 
It spreads its perfume, from the morn till the neon-tide, 
In fragrance as sweet as the roses we know. 

It ])lows 'mid the rays of the sun in the morn in o-, 
Is kissed by his rays when ho sinks in the west; 

And in the dark hour of mid-night, adorning. 
Its petals are spread o'er mother earth's breast. 



That sweet little flower to me is the dearest 
Of all the wild flovfcrs that bloom in the wood, 

It clings to my heart the fondest and nearest — 
I'll cherish it ever' with things that are good. 

It stands by the grave of the one I adored. 

To bring me sweet thoughts of the past until yet, 

.Vnd if all the bliss of the past was restored. 
That sweet little flower I will never forget. 

That sweet little flower to me is a token 
Of love ever sweet, but love early lost; 

It's a link in a chain that can ne'er be broken, 
For love is divine and is far bevond cost. 



i!() ' BIG SANDY POEMS 



A liOS^ LOVE- 



'^w^Y life was once as merry 
^A^\ As a bird's that knows no care. 
As full of smiles and sun-shine 

As the flowers that are fair; 
My hopes were bright and shining 

As the glowing sun-set sky, 
And the tear of disapoiuUnent 
Had never dimmed my eye. 

0! how sweet it was to live then, 

With a heart so full of love. 
As tender as a floweret, 

As spotless as a dove; 
A heart that knew no sadness, 

A love that knew no tears, 
Until fate so cold and cruel 

Cast a shadow o'er my years. 

Bright pictures lay before me, 

Of happiness in store; 
But those sweet hopes have vanished 

To return, ah! never-more; 
For a shade as dark and gloomy 

As the ebon god of night 
Dispersed the brilliant sun-shine, 

And the smile of sweet delight. 



A LOST LOVE. 27 

jMv love was poured in rapture 

upon a liansome manly form, 
With eyes lite sparkling diamonds, 

And face as sweet as morn; 
But he was cold aud cruel. 

And love he never knew. 
Affections tear had never 

Dimmed his eye; he was untrue. 

My heart Went out to meet him, 

When he looked at me and smiled, 
And his words were sweet and tender 

As the accents of a child. 
With his soft dark eyes he won me, 

As the sunshine wooes theflowers; 
And he vowed to love me ever. 

And that sweetest hliss was ours; 

Then he clasped me to his bosome, 

0! the moments were sublime, 
Our souls were filled with blic?s, 

And his lips were pressed to mine. 
Our two hearts beat as one 

In that sweetest hour of bliss. 
And our spirits rushed together 

In that love-enraptured kiss. 

But days have since gone by. 

And my sweetest hopes have fled. 

Like the sunny days of childhood. 
They are numbered with the dead. 



EIG SAXDY POEMS 

For tlic soft dark eyes that wen vac, 
And the lips of cherry hue, 

AVill greet me nevermore, 
jMy fair one proved untrue. 

But I'll not grow despondent, 

I will live my life anew, 
And center my affections 

On the good, the brave, the true; 
And I will look, here-after. 

At the better side of life, 
/ nd win, among the noble, 

One worthy of a v;ife. 

I'll rise up in my youtli-hoocl 

Ar.d be true till the last. 
And profit by the leepon 

(f the cold and cruel yv.^^i: 
I will never gTow dispairi:ig 

As foolish lovers do, 
For ether suns are shining l^i^lit, 

And other hearts are true, 

The past shall be a picture 
To hang on memory's wall. 

Anon, I'll turn to view it, 
Sweet visions to recall; 

Bat a mist will hang before it. 
To hide it from my view. 

For a tear will dim the picture. 
When I think he was untrue. 



MOON-LIOHT. 2^ 

Then rU.turn my back upon it — 

0! let the past be past — 
1 will face a glowing fature, 

Bright with hope until the last. 
Farewell, fair swain, forever, 

I may never meet with you; 
But I'll forget you never, 

As the one that proved untrue. 



MOON IxI6H^. 



wilight was disappearing, 
The birds had gone to rest, 
The pale moon was ascendiniT , 

From behind the mountain's crost 
All nature was hushed in silence. 

save the stiring of the breeze. 
As it passed so gently by, 
Among the forest trees. 

Me thought a host of fairies 

Were breathing on the air, 
And dro2:)ping tears of gladness 

On the flowers every where; 
For I seemed to hear a whisper 

On the balmy breath of niglit, 
And see the tear-drops glisten 

In the rays of Luna's light. 



30 BIG SANDY POEMS 



As the sun withdrew in glory 

And hid his smiling face, 
A seeming transformation 

Came o'er the hallowed place; 
The moon-beams fell around me 

In rays of softest light; 
Earth seemed as if enchanted 

In the glorious moon-light. 

My Love, she was beside me — 

0! happy hour of bliss! 
I stooped within the moon-light. 

And stole a raptured kiss; 
And Cupid spread his mmtle 

O'er us that lovely night, 
And our vows were sealed with kissos, 

'Mid the rays of, Luna's light. 

Bright day, in all his glory, 
Can,t be compared to night, 

When Cupid makes his debut 
'Mid the rays of Luna's light. 



iM4|»: 



> 



TIIK HOP- VINES O. EK THE DOOR. 31 



miE HOP VINES O'ER miK DOOR. 

VaVHILE passing tlirough the country, 
X\ A cottage I did spy, 
And a lovelier little cottao-e 

Did never greet my eye. 
It -'tood beside the high. way 

Some twenty steps or more — 
V\'hat attracted my attention, 

Was the Hop-vines o'er the door. 



TliQ cottage, it was humble, 

The inmates, they w^ere kind, 
They reminded me of sweet friends 

I had shortly left behind; 
They treated me so gently, 

As my mother did of yore — 
But my thoughts w^ere still attracted 

To the Hop-vines o'er the door. 

I gazed upon the Hop-vines 
In tangled meshes broad, 
That clambered o'er the door 
Of the cottage by the road; 
Yes, I gazed with admiration, 

For the one w^hom I adore 
Lives in the humble cottage, 
With the hop vines o'er the door. 



32 BIG SANDY POEMS 

Her cheeks were like the roses, 

Her teeth as white as pearls, 
Her eyes like sparkling diamonds 

Made her queen among the girls: 
I never can forget her, 

If I see her nevermore, 
My memory will be kindled 

By the Hop-vines o'er the door. 

She was loviiig, kind, and gentle^. 
Her heart was brave and true, 

Made her charming as an angel, 
My bewitching little Lou; 

But cruel fate bore me away, 
And I've seen her no more; 

But I know she must be happy, 
I With the Hop-vines o'er the door. 

Where'er I roam on land or sea, 

'Mid shades or sunny fountains, 
I'll cherish in sweet memory 

That cottage in the mountains; 
And when I have a home myself, 

If I have nothing more, 
Give me a gentle hand to train 

The Hop-vines o'er the door. 




BARK EYES. 



DARK EYES. 



Xoung ladies with hearts. 
Look out for the darts 
That fly from the dark eye of jet; 
xVlthough you may try 
To let them pass hy, 
They'll capture you, I will bet. 



I can tell you of on?, 

Beneath the bright sun, 
Yv'ho possesses a pair of those eyes. 

Who can fire a dart 

Through a kind, lovin.o- heart. 
And smile on the victim who dies. 



I met him one day 

In the sweet month of May, 
When Nature outrivals proud Art, 

And from his dark eye, 

He let a dart fly 
That wounded mv tender vouns: heart. 



Though smarting with pain, 

I told him quite plain 
I AYOuld quickly recover the blow: 

But his magic dark eye 

Did my efforts defy, 
And the healing was painful and slow. 



34 BIG SANDY POEMS 



At first 'tis sweet, 

Proud beauty to meet, 
And drink of his bliss till you stagi2;er; 

But behind his dark eyes 

A cruel fiend lies 
To pierce your young heart witli a i'higgei- 

how it can be! 

Is what I can't see^ 
That Satan selected dark eyes 

As a weapon to use, 

Kind hearts to abuse, 
Regardless of tears or of sighs. 

But here is a truth , 

Receive it in youth. 
Old Satan 's exceedingly wise; 

And his favorite place 

Is a beautiful face, 
Just behind a pair of dark eyes. 

Sweet girls who are true. 

This poem's for you. 
Receive it if you would be wise; 

For keen are the darts, 

Prepared for young hearts, 
That fly from magic dark eyes. 



THE POND AND STKEAMLKT. 



?I^HE POKD MID S^REAMLcE^ 

IN Sandy's pleasant valley, 
Among the willow trees, 
Lay a pond with glassy waters 

That rippled in the breeze, 
Clos.e by a little streamlet 

Went babbling on its way, 
Rapeating gentle murmurs 
From morn till close of day. 

The pond said to the streamlet, 

As it danced in sunny glee, 
''Why waste your shining waters? 

Why give them up so free? 
When the burning rays of Summer 

Come down with thirsty glow, 
You will need the sparkling water 

You are sending off below. 

I am savin o; all mv forces 

For the battle and the strife, 
When a million thirsty sun-beams 

Shall seek to take my life; 
So I'll have a force sufficient, 

To resist the bold attack. 
And when the darts are fired, 

I need only wave them back. 



3(3 BIG SANDY POEMS 

But you my little friend, 

So full of mirth to-day, 
Will be murdered by a sun-beam, 

And falter on your way; 
Take a lesson and example 

From the lake-let at your side, 
But the happy little streamlet 

Not even once replied. 

80 the pond remained in silen?e. 

Not another word it said. 
But the streamlet still continued, 

Babling o'er its pearly bed; 
Its placid w^aters rippling 

O'er pebles white as snow, 
Dancing onward to the ocean 

And the larger streams below. 

The icy breath of winter 

Made the little stream to quake, 
And congealed the swe.lling bosom 

Of the tanquil little lake; 
But the chilly days of winter, 

Like a spectre flew away. 
And the two received the kisses 

Of fairest, sweetest May. 

By and bysw^eet May departed, 

Leaving bees and birds and flowers 

To cheer the lake and streamlet 

Through summer's burning hours. 



THE POND AND STREAMLET. o/ 

The selfish lake had horded 

Every drop it had received, 
But the brook with crystal waters 

Many thirsty ones relieved. 

The burnished rays came down, 

Truly seeking to devour 
Every pond or little streamlet 

That lay within their power; 
But the streamlet was protected 

By pleasant leafy bowers, 
Not a sun ray fell upon it 

During Summer's sultry hours. 

Children were delighted, 

To play upon its brink, 
To bathe their glowing limbs, 

Or its placid waters diink. 
It was greeted by the music 

Of the sweetest singing birds, 
And its banks weie a retreat 

For gentle lowing herds. 

But how was it wih the pond? 

It was heated by the sun, 
Its waters bred miasm^a. 

And malaria's work begun; 
Unplea-!ant odors floated 

On the breezes o'er its face. 
It was spurned by animation. 

Even frogs abhored the place. 



38 BIG SANDY POEMS 

When the waters of the streamlet 

Past old ocean's shore, 
God took it up in incense 

And kissed it o'er and o'er; 
To a shining cloud he changed it. 

And hung it in the sky, 
To be wafted by the zephyrs 

To tlie streamlet by and by. 

When at last it hovered o^er 

Where the streamlet bubbled up, 

The tips of angel fingers 
Tilted o'er the golden cup; 

Aud the crystal waters falling, 
Did the little stream relieve, 

Till in sweest song it chanted 

"Better give than to receive." 



VISA VERSA. 



The flowers are the gentle stars 
That deck this world of ours, 

The j ems that deck the upper sky 
Are only heaven's flowers: 

And when we can not see the stars 
Of earth, so dark is night, 

Celestial flowers will unfold 
Their golden petals blight. 



JUNE. 



I have watched the months roll b}^ 
Each bringing scenes of beauty, 
Each, in its own peculiar way, 

Inspiring us with duty; 
Some with sunshine, some with storm, 

Some with gentle showers; 
But none are half so fair to me. 
As June, sweet month of flowers. 

December wears a robe of snow 

About his icy form. 
He loves to pinch the little boys, 

And chase them off to warm. 
September wears a golden robe. 

And sighes away her hours; 
But one comes greeting us with smiles, 

Fair June, sweet month of flowers. 



March, the little brawling elf, 

Comes roaring like a lion, 
The little rogue will have your hat, 

If you don't keep your eye on. 
April ushers opening buds, 

Baptized in gentle showers; 
But one appears, a fairy queen. 

Bright June, sweet month of flowers. 



40 BIG SANDY POEMS ^ 

August comes with sultry breath, 

His garments soiled and dusty, 
His nose is red, and folks agree 

In saying he is crusty; 
His loving wife, July is w^arm 

And full of subtle powers; 
But none so neat as our fair queen, 

Our June, sweet month of flowers, 



Young May appears with winning smiles. 

Bedecked with blushing roses; 
No artist's brush can paint the scenes 

Of beauty she discloses; 
The charming melody of birds 

Flood all her golden hours; 
But brighter, far, the scenes disclosed 

By June, sweet month of flowers. 



Cur lovely queen, we'll welcome thee 

With grateful hearts each year. 
When birdies sing and soft winds blow 

And skies are bright and clear. 
When golden sunshine floods the vales 

And gilds the rising towers, 
0! ]et oui lives be pure and free. 

Like June, sweet month of flowers. 




o 



THE BOUQUET. 41 



NE little bunch of flowers, 

One little sweet bouquet, 
I received Avith fond acceptance 

From my darling girl to-day. 
She's far aAvay, this lovely morn, 

Among some distant bowers; 
But she sends her love and greeting 

With this little bunch of flowers. 

With a tender hand she plucked them 

From the arbor where they grew, 
And as she stooped to kiss them 

Tears were mingled with their dew; 
She breathed her spirit on them. 

When she sent them on their way; 
And I feel that she is near me, 

When I kiss the flowers to-day. 

This little bunch of flowers 

Is sweeter far to me, 
Than Flora's fairy garden 

On the islands of the sea, 
For a spirit whispers from it, 

In accents soft and free, 
That in Cupid's golden arbor, 

A bright angel waits for me. 



42 BIG SANDY POEMS 

An angel face as radient 

As the rose tints of sun-set 
who^e eyes with love light shining 

Roll soft in glossy jet; 
Such is the girl with tresses 

Of glossy raven hair, 
Whose spirit whispers softly 

From this bunch of flowers fair. 

The celestial breath of angels, 
That paints the flowers fair, 

Is not sweeter than the sighs 

That she breathes upon the air; 

And the dew that falls from heaven 
In the silent star-lit hours 

Is not purer than the tears. 
That she mingles with the flowers, 

The flowers, they will wither. 

When the bright sun 'gins to sliine 

But I'll kiss away the tears 
And moisten them with mine: 

The petals they will crumble. 
And the odors float away ; 

And the glowing colors vanish, 
When the lovely flowers decay. 

But when the flowers fade away 
And crumble at my feet, 

The spirit still will whisper 
In accents soft and sweet, 



ODE TO MABLE. 4;> 



*'Thore is something in th3 flower 
Too deep for words to tell, 

When mingled with the tears 
Of those we love so well." 



ODE ^O L-IT^LcH MSBIiK B- 

OMable, little Mable, 
charming Mable B — 
Your life is full of sunshine, 

Your soul is full of glee, 
Your face is like a rose-bud, 
Kissed b}^ gentle showers, 
Your smiles are sweet and tender 
As the bluih of opening flowers. 



Your eyes are bright and glowing 

With child-hood's sunny gleam 
Your young heart full of gladness 

Makes life a golden dream: 
In accents soft and tender 

As the cooing of a dove, 
Your gentle voice whispers 

The golden dream of love. 



44 BIG SANDY POEMS 

Mable, little Mable, 

I would dearly love to be 
Like 3^ou in life's young morn, 

From care and sorrow free; 
But such is not my lot, 

For those sweet dreams are o'er, 
Those sunny days of child-hood 

Are gone for ever more. 

liable, little Mable, 

With sweet angelic face, 
Were it not for smiles like yours, 

Earth would be a cheerless place; 
But as we float along the tide 

Of life from day to day, 
.Blushing roses greet us. 

To cheer us on our way. 

Mable, little Mable, 

I imagine I can see, 
Out in the mystic future, 

AVhat your coming life will be; 
A woman like an angel. 

Shedding kindness where she goes. 
Is filling home with gladness 

Like the fragrance of the rose. 

Mable, little, Mable, 
With garlands in your hair, 

Whose life is just as pure 
As the roses that you wear, 



TEE AUTUMN WIND. 45 

May laurels bright and golden 

Ever circle 'round thy brow, 
And loving angels keep thee 

Ever pure as thou art now. 



^HE AUTUMN Yimjy 



\\J HERE'S something in the Autumn wind 
{J^ Too deep for words to tell, 
A melancholy sweetness 

That makes the heart to swell; 
It lifts the soul up higher, 

To a brighter sunny sphere, 
Where the whisper of the angels 

Fall softly on our ear. 



It typifies the coming 

Of that great eventful day, 
When our spirits, like the zephyrs, 

Will gently pass away. 
It whispers to be ready 

As it stirs the golden leaves, 
When life's summertime is ended, 

To be numbered with the sheaves. 



46 BIG SANDY POEMS 

Like vesper chimes fiom heaven. 

It falls in softest strains, 
And steals upon our senses 

In gentle, sweet refrains; 
It tells us we are dying, 

In accents swees and low, 
That our forms will soon be lying, 

Where the flowers come and go. 

1 love to hear its music 

As it floats among the trees — 
'Tis the angel band that's playiiig, 

Unseen hands are on the keys; 
Methink^ it is the voice 

Of seraphs sweetly sighing, 
As tbey kiss the gentle flowers 

And the beauties that are dying. 

It lifts our thoughts from earth 

To a sweeter home above. 
Where the soul can bathe forever 

In the golden sea of love. 
Where cherished ones await us. 

Who have crossed tlie stream before 
And are singing with the angels 

On the bright celestial shore. 




ELLA. 



EIxIxS. 

' Y I J IS a lovely morn in May, 
{<i^ The sun shoots down his golden ray 
The landscrtpo gleams in ruddy light, 
And dew-drops s])arkle golden bright; 
The birds send forth their merry notes 
From pure, clear untariiished throats; 
Soft zephyrs fan the flowers, fair, 
That spread their fragrance in the air; 
The sky is bright, blue, and serene, 
Not a cloud is to be seen, 
To screen away the rays of light 
Which paints for me this lovely sight. 

I'm sitting 'neath a shady tree. 
And other thoughts float back to me 
Tpon the sullen stream of time, 
Thoughts so deep and so sublime. 
Thoughts of one so good and true. 
Whose eyes roll soft in glossy blue. 
Whose face is fair as Egypt's queen. 
And lips with pearl-white teeth atween, 
W^hose hair in golden ringlets wave, 
AVhose heart is true, and pure, and brave; 
Tongue or pen can not portray 
The charms that crown her everv dav, 



48 BIG SANDY rOEMS 

I remember well, when first we met. 
The grass, with evening dew, was wet, 
The sun had sunk behind the hill, 
'Twas by the side of a rippling rill 
The birds had sought their place of rest. 
The moon hung on the mountain's crest. 
The stars peeped down upon the scene, 
And moon-beams glittered in silver sheen; 
The flowers, bins ing at our feet, 
Filled the air with odors sweet; 
The eve was putting on its shade, 
AVhen first I met this charming maid. 

The moon-beams down, in splendor, rolled, 
And there to me her tale she told. 
She said: 'T am Lord Aldin's child, 
M}^ home is in fair Martin wild; 
Where flowers bloom sweet in the early May 
And birds sing sweet at the break of day; 
Where zephyrs kiss the trailing flow^ers, 
And sunshine floods the golden hours." 

Says I: "Sweet girl, if this be so 
You must be happy then I know, 
To live in such a spot as this, 
Where beauty lends a charm to bliss." 
She said: "Kind sir, don't speak it so. 
My home hath charms full w^ell I know; 
But what are charms and scenes like this 
To a heart that longs for sweeter bliss 
Than angels e'er felt above, 



ELLA. 49 



The untold bliss, the bliss of love, 
The blisd that comes from God alone, 
As pure as snow, from heaven blown, 
The bliss that only true love knows, 
That cheers the heart 'mid pain and woes, 
The bliss that makes the heart to swell 
With happiness too deep to tell; 
O! give me love w^ithout alloy, 
That fills the soul with sweetest joy. 

As we stood beneath the star-lit sky 
I saw a tear steal from her eye, 
I felt the charm of the mystic spell 
Of love which now around us fell. 
I took her snow-white hand in mine 
And led her to a trailing vine, 
Supported by an antique frame, 
Owned by some aesthetic dame. 
We sat dow^n on a rustic seat, 
with blue-bells nodding at pur feet, 
And there amid the stilly night. 
While stars above us glittered bright. 
While zephyrs stired the wiered pines 
And Luna winked through the trellis vines, 
We thought, not of the things around u^, 
But of the mystic spell that bound us. 
And as we sat, soul merged in soul, 
My arm around her little form stole; 
She raised her gentle eyes to mine, 
I saw in them a love divine. 



..^- 



BIG SANDY POEMS 

I could no longer stay the bliss, 
And to her lips I pressed a kiss, 
A ki-s, pure as Lucreeia's sigh, 
That angels might, in heaven, vie. 
It filled my soul with a mystic spell, 
That words can not portray or tell; 
And as I pressed her to my side. 
She lingered still and only sighed ; 
Lingered still with a throbbing heart, 
The powerless victim of Cupid's dart; 
But this I knew as well as she. 
Her little soul went out to me. 

earth! heaven! what is like this, 

That tills the soul with sweetest bliss? 

A bliss too deep for human words, 

That stills the tongues of the stoutest Lords. 

Just then the voice of a whip-poor-will 

Sounded clear from across the rill. 

It broke the spell that had us bound 

In silence. Not a single sound 

Had broke the stillness of the hours. 

But the rill and the wind-stired trellis flowers 

She raised to me her drooping head, 

And in trembling accents said 

''Kind sir, can you to me impart 

The meaning of this magic art 

That wraps in sweetness the human heart? 

Says I, '"Tis bliss from heaven above, 

The untold bliss, the bliss of love; 



ELLA. 



The blis which but an hoar ago 
We ne'er had felt on earth below, 
A bliss that only is begun 
When two fond hearts dissolve in one. 
Sweet girl, this night we'll ne'er i'oriiet, 
And when the grass with dew is wet. 
Thoughts will fill your heart and mine 
Of the rippling rill and the trellis vine. 

Just then the bell from the village tower 

Hounded forth the leaving hour; 

And as we 'rose by the trellis vine, 

1 pressed her throbbing heart to mine. 

She could not speak for joy and bliss. |kir 

But our vows were sealed with a ra})tu red 

We vowed, with trembling, beatino hearts. 

To live and love till death us [)arts. 

And as she turned from me to go 

To her home, where sweetest flowers grow, 

I dropped a tear on the grass that grew 

At my feet, all wet with the evening dew. 

And as she passed dowm by the rill 

I was left alone with the whip-poor-will 

The stars still glittered from above. 
But my heart was filled with Ella's love, 
For Ella was the name of her, 
Above all things, my heart held dear. 
And now, iind reader we must part, 
For a time, to still my beating heart; 
And I must haste to my humble home, 
And leave you here with the stars alone, 



52 BIG SANDY POEMS 

ELLA. 

PART. II 

FIVE times hath the month of May, 

With sunny smiles and flowers gay, 

With singing hirds and humming bee, 

Paid her visit to you and me; 

Five times hath the whip-poor-will 

Sung her song by the rippling rill; 

Five times hath the trellis flowers 

Bloomed in May .time's sunny hours; 

Five times hath the sun so bright 

Kissed the flowers with golden light; 

Five times hath gentle Luna smiled 

Upon the plains of Martin wild; 

Five times hath the grass been wet 

In the dews of May since first w^e met, 

Since first we met on the evening still. 

On the verdant bank of the rippling rill, 

Where our souls were joined in a feast of bliss. 

And our vows w^ere sealed with a raptured kiss 

AVhere I left you, reader, with the stars alone 

And hastened to my humble home. 

But 0! what changes wrought, since then, 

Upon the lives of things and men, 

Changes wTought by father Time, 

Whose wings are spread from clime to clime, 

Who, in his still and silent way, 

New scenes disclose from day to day, 



ELLA. 



53 



Changes, great and mighty too, 
Presents he to the human view. 
He breathes upon the flowers that grow, 
They fade and sink to earth below; 
He touches the cheek of the sleeping babe, 
81ow% but sure, a change is made; 
^v And cares are brought, and busy strife, 
As child-hood fades in lusty life;^ 
Another touch, and youth has fled, 
Old age comes on with feeble tread, 

And man, the noble w^ork of God, 
In silence sleeps beneath the sod; 
But as they sink in earth's embrace 
Others come to fill, their place. 

O fleeting Time! it must be true. 
You take the old to bring the new. 
The oak that reared its lofty head 
Crumbled beneath thy silent tread; 
But a youthful tree is growing well, 
To mark the spot where the giant fell. 

The rippling rill still wanders on. 
The whip-.poor will still sings her song; 
But naught is seen of the trellis vine, 
Where first I bowed at Ella's shrine; 
And the rustic seat has passed away 
Since first we met in the early May: 
But to mark the spot whereat they diod 
An evergreen is spreading wide. 



BIG SANDY POEMS 

And the happy home in Martin wild, 

That sheltered o'er Lord Aldin's chihl, 

AVhere sweetest, fairest flowers grew. 

And sunshine smiled through a sky of blue, 

Has lost a jewel, bright and fai: , 

Witli sparkling eyes and golden hair, 

A jewel of the brightest hue 

That wondering mortals ever knew, 

A jewel, rich, that glittered bright 

As the stars that shine of a moonless night. 

This jew^el shining till the last, 

F' om Lord Aldin's home has past. 

Past into another sphere. 

The child Lord Aldin loved so dear. 

The child with gentle beaming eyes, 

That made his home a paradise. 

Luna still smiles upon the home, 

The stars still shine above the dome, 

'i'he trailing vines and blushing flowers, 

That filled w^ith sweetness the summer hour 

In beauty still is blooming on; 

But Ella, fairest one, is gone. 

Where swetest bliss is kept in store 

For her who sighs for it no more, 

A spot where brightest flowers grow, 

AVhere soft and balmy zephyrs blow, 

AVith sunny sky of azure blue. 

And golden sunshine streaming through 



.• ELLA. 05 

Upon the green and giassy sward, 
AVhere Ella walks beside her Lord. 
Its glory bafii(^s human words, 
Angels, roses, and mocking-birds 
Hover around the blisful spot, 
Where Ella cast her happy lot. 

And, though the sweetest bird has tiown. 
Lord Aldin's is a happy home; 
No sad hearts or tearful eyes 
Grieve the loss of the cherished prize. 
Lord Aldin once did never grieve. 
When he saw his child must leave; 
But wilh a father's gentle hand, 
He led her to the golden sand, 
When the tide was rising high, 
And gave her up without a sigh, 
Gave her up to another sphere, 
Where love and bliss aw^aited her; 
And as she. reached the golden shore, 
Lord Aldin sent his blessings o'er. 
Then gently bowed his head and smiled, 
Whispering ''Peace, go with my child." 

Never more wdll Ella's face, 
FulLof smiles and happy grace, 
Fill, the old old home with glee, 
Where.her face w^as wont to be; 
Nevermore beneath the trees, 
That wave their verdure in the breeze. 



56 BIG SANDY POEMS 



Will she stroll when it is late, 
Adown beside the garden gate, 
Where we met, to talk of love, 
Beneath the stars that shone above. 



0! kind reader, what a change! 
But you will not think it strange, 
That Father Time, with locks of snow, 
III his choice has made it so; 
Made it so and made it best, 
And not a heart is ill at rest. 
Not a soul is in despair, 
At the loss of one so fair. 

A loss? 0! no, it is not so, 
'Tis a gain of heaven here below, 
A gain of all that heart could wish, 
Of constant love, of sweetest bliss, 
Of joy and peace unknown before. 
What heart could ask or wish for more? 
0! 'tis the sweetest boon of life. 
Sweet angel Ella is my wife. 
And as I sit beneath this tree, 
Her loving eyes look out at me 
Through the blushing trellis fiow^ers 
That circle 'round that home of ours, 
That home, ever blest with love 
And envied by the hosts above. 
And ,now, kind reader, I will close, 
While Ella plucl-rs a blushing rose; 



ODE TO THE SUN. 57 



Acrofes the lawn, in happy glee, 
With smiling face she comes to me. 

Kind reader, this, I'd have you know, 
The sw^eetest bliss on earth below 
Is sent from God himself above, 
The untold bliss, the bliss of love. 



ODE ^O J?HE SUN. 



n 



HOU glorious orb, author of light, 
Thou great and mighty king of day, 
"When thou did'st take thy throne 
In the midst of the dark'ning universe, 
A thousand burnished shafts of light 
Shot athwart the blacken'd skies, 
A thousand worlds smiled in exultation, 
Ceased their groans and leaped for joy 
Through the eternal depths of space; 
Cold, barren, naked, fruitless worlds 
Heaved their huge forms from icy beds. 
And rushed with unbounded speed 
Through trackless fields of living light 
And cheering warmth, to do thy bidding. 
A thousand mighty angels, tall as Everest, 
And strong as the huge giant Etna, 
Rose up from beds of sable night, 
And with clashing wings and piercing notes 



58 BIG SANDY POEMS 



That 'waked, from dreams, the sleeping spirit: 
Sung with joy the glad approach of day; 
While the sable god of endless night 
Fled before thy coming magesty, 
Through a thousand depths of space, 
Past a thousand rushing worlds, 
Till, on the accursed shore of Hades, 
He found an everlasting abode. 

The pide-faced moon, queen of heaven, 
AVhen thou didst greet her with a smile, 
Veiled her face in gentle modesty 
And witlidrew^ from the palace of day. 
Like the gentle dew% before approaching noon, 
Shrinks from among the gilded flowers, 
Shrunk the queen of glory from thy approach 
And when thou turnest from the gates of day, 
To lie down 'mid beds of crimson glory, 
She takes her regal throne in the skies; 
And from the soft embrace of inviting night. 
Slowly unveils her lovely timid face, 
And smiling sw^eetly through a veil of tears. 
Her queenly brow receives the last faint ray 
Of thy lingering good-night kisses. 



When thou, sun! ariseth from saffron beds, 
Like a mighty angel, refreshed from slumber, 
The shining hosts of heaven flee aw^ay. 
The golden portals of day swing back, 



ODE TO THE SUN-; • . » . . r^^ 



And Mil ocean of light Hoc els' the gilded skies. 
iNcitiire rejoices and smiles ac tijy a|)proaca, 
Aujination riseth up to do thee honor, 
Thrilled with a new impulse ot'liie from thee. 
Oh! thou, thi'ough whose agency Ave live, 
ThuLi, who paintest every biu.shing ilowcr, 
Will) gives a hue to every tinted siiell, 
Ai.d pcurs a tiood of glory over all; 
i'iioj who lifts the waters fro.n th;j sea 
And carries them far up beyond the skies, 
CJianging thein to golden linked tioi.u:^. 
To })athe again the face of mother ea.-ih: 
lliuu, who stireth up tlie migiity Wiiui.-, 
To sweep in hurricanes across Uie puun.:^, 
To be again subdued and slilied, 
ijyst they should bruise the hoa.-t 

Of some sweet ilower. 
'i'ell me, Oh! Father of everlasting light, 
Art thou the mansion of eternal God, 
i^'illed with glory that is too sublime 
For mortal eyes to witness here below? 
And when our panting spirits are set free, 
Shall they, ascending .to the throne, 
Behold the glory hidden from us here? 
And bathe in fields of light, transcending all? 






60 BIG SANDY rOEMS. 



miK S.^02Y OK K^K- 



IN the shilling courts of I'f iiven, 
Where the mysteries unfold, 
Are a host of angel faces 
That visit many places, 
And one with many graces 

Approached me hold ; 
And when my head is hoary, 
I'll not forget the story 
Of the blessed King of glory 
That it told. 

1 shall not attempt to tell you 
All the wonders it unsealed, 

For they would fill the pages 

Of the volumes of the ages, 

And employ all the sages 
In the field. 

But this it laid before me, 

And, reader I implore thee. 

By the God wdio bendeth o'er me, 
Hear what it revealed. 

"In the morning of creation, 

When the Lord was looking o'er 
All the creatures he had made, 
As they came from sun and shade. 
Moving in a grand parade 
On the shore, 



THE STORY OF MaN, (:1 



He beheld with admiration 
All the hosts with their relation, 
}>ut the great work of creation 
Wanted more. 



Then the mighty King of heaven 
Turning to the angel band, 
Said: "Let us make a creature, 
Most beautiful in feature, 
'JV) be a king and teacher 

O'er the land. 
I'^or in all of my creation 
1 iiave no imitation, 
And witliout hesitation. 

Formed he man. 



Then the hosts of heaven shouted 

In a voice that was rife; 
And straight-way to him fleeing, 
They admired this new being, 
And God, their wonder seeing, 

Gave him life. 
Then he saw his lonely state, 
How he needed a fair mate. 
And to share his high estate. 
Gave him a wife. 



()2 BIG SANDY POEMS. 



Tlion he took th's char.ning- C')'i[)]e, 

The objects of bis love, 
And invested them with pow m^ 
O'er every beast and iiower. 
And blessings sent, each hour, 

From above. 
And celestial beino-s doted 
On til is couple grown so noted, 
AVliile the sweetest musir" floated 
From t'le dove 

So this man and woman, liappy. 

In a floral scarden stood 
On a plain but little lower 
Than the angels, hovering o'er, 
And no evil cursed their shore, 

They were good. 
The Lord was pleased to meet them 
And often came- to greet them. 
And to choice blessings treat them, 
• 'Xeath the wood. 

And with nothing to molest them, 

Their happiness was much ; 
But in order to remind them 
Of duty, God assigned them 
A simple law to bind them. 
It was such: 



THE STORY OF MAN. ()3 



Of all the fruitful trees 
That wave in Eden's breeze, 
You may eat, but one of these, 
Do not touch. 



This fatal tree is pleasant, 

And enchanting to the eye, 
Sweet odors float above it, 
Inviting you to love it; 
But it you must not covet, 

pass it by. 
Though it looks so very neat, 
And its golden fruit is sweet; 
Yet the day in which you eat, 
You will die. 



Then he bless'd the happy couple, 

And ascended to his throne. 
They were left amid the flowers 
Of the garden, many hours, 
To revel in loves sweet bowers. 

All their own. 
No bliss they need to borrow, 
Joy came with each to-morrow. 
Not a pang of grief or sorrow, 
They had known. 



64 BIG SANDY POEMS 



They wandered through the Garden, 

King and queen of all the host; 
And with every thing to suit, 
They plucked ambrosial fruit, 
Tamed every fowl and biu'e 

Upon the coast. 
Not a stain that needed cure, 
On their lives unsullied pure, 
Could be found, no word is truer, 

They could boast. 

But Satan who had fallen 

By his conduct in the skies, 
^tole in amid the flowers,. 
To exert his subtle powers 
On the couple, and for hours 

Thus he tries. 
lie excited a desire 
In their nature, to be higher. 
And this he di 1 inspire, 

To be wise. 



Thus he spoke unto the woman 

He'd beguiled unto the tree. 
Yea to you the Lord hath said 
Every tree for you is bread; 
Eat the fruit above your head 
And be free. 



THE STORY OF MaN. 65 



For the very God doth know, 
When you eat it, wise you'll grow, 
And wonders here below, 

You will see. 



His cunning words though fata 
Was enchanting to her ear, 
As he spoke about its beauties, 
And how fair its golden fruit is, 
Till she quite forgot the duties 

Binding her. 
And then he caught her eye 
And spoke the fated lie, 
God knows you will not die, 
Never fear. 



Then putting forth her hand, 
She plucked of it and ate, 
To Adam then she gave, 
He ate, the deed was brave, 
But Satan knew a grave, 

Would be their fate. 
And then they clearly saw, 
How they'd transgressed the law. 
And they trembled therein awe 

Beside the gate. 



6(> BIG SANDY POEMS* 



Their eyes were opened then, 
So ihey saw the broken vow; 
And at the close of day 
They sought to hide away, 
For they heard the Lord to say 
''Where art thou." 
And coming from the place, 
Wliere they hid in their disgrace, 
They stood before his face, 
Fearing now. 

The mighty King of heaven 

Knew what they had done, 
And turning to them said, 
"Peace and quietude has fled; 
And troubles come instead, 

To each one. 
And you will feel the sting 
For death will surely bring 
An end to every thing 

Beneath the sun. 

And the very earth was cursed, 

By Jehova's great command 
And the thistle and the thorn 
Sprang up before the morn, 
And misery was born 

Upon the land. 



THE STORY OF MaN, G7 

And man was driven out, 
Into a world of doubt, 
Where Satan roamed about 
With his band. 



And the golden gate was closed. 

On the unhappy pair; 
And to guard the shining way, 
Tne Lord did then array 
A flaming sword to stay 

All from there. 
Lest evil should partake 
Of fruit that would awake 
The dead to Life, and make 

The demons fair. 



Then a council was assembled 

In the shining courts on high. 
This was to ascertain 
If in heavens broad domain, 
Any power could regain 

Man, by and by. 
But of all the mighty host. 
No one could pay the cost, 
Man surely is lost, 

He must die. 



ijS BIG SANDY POEMS* 

Lo! bahold the King of Glory 

As he rises in the host, 
Sajdng I alone of all 
The celestial beings tall, 
Can raise man from the fall, 

To his post. 
I, alone, possess the key, 
My Father gave it me, 
And I will set him free 

At any cost. 



I will go into the world. 

By sin so sadly cursed. 
A herald I w^ill sound, 
And when man is found. 
The ties that have him bound. 

I will burst. 
The golden gates once more 
Shall be opened as before, 
And peace I will restore 

As at first. 



Then he left the shining court! 

To battle with the foe. 
And like a little babe, 
He descended to the shadf 
That sin and death had made, 
To strike the blow. 



THE STORY OF MAN. 69 



As a gentle lamb he came — 
Oh! bless his holy name. 
And spread his mighty fame 

Here below. 

And Satan with his host 

Rose up against the Son. 
They sought to lay him low, 
And struck the cruel blow 
That caused his blood to flow 

For each one. 
And death, the devils bride, 
Her tortures on him tried, 
But glory! then he cried 

It is done. 

And then upon the cross 

He broke the mighty cord, 
That bound the gates of hell, 
And Satans powers fell, 
Conquered, all is well, 

Man's restored. 
And then he did arise, 
And^ascended to the skies, 
While earth and heaven cries, 
'Praise the Lord' 

THE END. 



BIG SANDY POEMS 



NOTES. 

Below are given the typographical errors found in 
this Book 

Words misspelled — Descending, p. 11; AVhereVr, 
p. 15; Bright, p.l6; Faint, p. 18; Cherished, p. 22; 
Disappointment, p. 26; Bosom, p. 27; Despairing }>. 
28;Babbling, p.86; Pebbles,p.36; With, p. 37; A'lce 
versa, p.38; Mabel, p.43, 44; Sweet, p. 46; 
Blushing, p. 48; Bliss, p. 51: Blissful, p. 55; Exclaim- 
ed, p.ll. 

The word ''Sighs" in the last line of the first stanza on 
p. 23 should be ''Smiles" and ''Have" should be "Has. 



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